BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1922, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

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GENOA CONFERENCE LONDON, March 26 The British Government recently published as a White Paper a 1919 nie’mornndum by Mr Lloyd George issu- ' ed to members of the Versill6s Peace Conference wherein the British Premier declared a crushing peace treaty would not only create a spirit of lasting resentment in Germany, but prove detrimental to the victors. The Paris paper “Echo National” now publishes M. Clemenccau’s note in reply to Mr Lloyd George’s 1919 memorandum. Therein M. Clemenceau pointed out that, to think of appeasing Germany was a purse illusion. The French policy was to help the new Buffer States created between Russia and Germany. M.-Tardieu, writing in the “Echo”, ndds:—“Mr. Lloyd George •was greatly irritated by his note of M. Clemenceau’s and he replied to it three days later, but M. Clemenceau deemed it useless o make any rejoinder.

SOVIET DECISION

RIGA, March 27

The Soviet has decided to collect all gold and silver ornaments and precious stones confiscated from Moscow churches, and to sell them abroad, in order to buy foodstuffs. The clergy have protested strongly.

IMPERIAL WIRELESS. (Received This Dav at U3O a.m.) LONDON, March 27

In the Commons, replying to a question, Mr Pike Pease said this Dominions had not yet replied in regard to co-operating in Imperial in accordance with the resolution of the Imperial Conference. Preparations were being made to construct stations for <.iiic.li the Imperial Government was responsible.

JAPANESE POLITICAL CRISIS, TOKIO, March 26,

Following considerable confusion as the result of the Japanese Opposition’s obstruction in Parliament against a re solution passed by the Lower House urging retrenchment by 40,000,000 yen in the Army appropriations, the Diet has been formally prorogued. It closed on Saturday.

A resolution was passed with a provision requesting a' reduction in the period of conscription to 16 months.

The House of Peers have shelved a supplementary budget of 44,600,000 yen for raising certain colleges to university rank, and also a Jury System Bill.

CARPETED JOURNALISTS, '•pcoived This Day at lI.JO a.m.) LONDON, March 27. The French press gives prominence In the carpeted journalists incident. According to a Paris correspondent. M. Poincaire formally interrogated M. Bassis, the “Havas” correspondent, but the action generally is attributed to Lord Curzon, who was present at the interview. Parisian newspapers are surprised and irritated at Lord s-ur-zon’s action. The other correspondent M. Tertinax was privately questioned.

WIRELESS. BERLIN, March 27. Direct wireless communication has been established between Berlin at d New York. RUSSI AN* DEI .EG A TES. BERLIN, March 27. The Berlin press states tlie names of the Soviet delegates.to Genoa Conference are Tchitcheriu, Lit-vinoff, Jofl re, and Ivrassin. TURKISH POSITION. Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) ■ LONDON, March 27. A Constantinople correspondent states he is dubious of Turkish acceptance of the armistice proposals. The Nationalists insist it is only acceptable if Thrace is included, with Allied guarantees for Grecian evacuation of Anatolia. The Daily Mail urgf's the Allied Governments to state the Conference proposals and ultimate Turkish policy immediately, with the utmost publicity throughout tlie East, particularly from the British standpoint, convincing tlie Moslems of our intention to safeguard Alahommedan claims.

SHIPPING TROUBLE. LONDON, March 27

Owing to Liverpool shipowners accepting'the national reduction of wages without granting facilities for local discussion, Mersey shipowners called out tlie men to-night.

THE PORTE’S REPLY

Revived This Day at 12.25 p.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, March 28

The Porte, replying to the armistice proposals, said it was necessary to consult the Angora Government, and points out that the Allies do not mention the evacuation of Thrace and Adrianople, which is essential to safeguadd Constantinople.

FRENCH FOOTBALL TOUR. (Received This Day at. 12.50 p.m.) PARTS, March 27

The sole reason for the abandonment of the Rugby tour is that it would interfere with the French championships in October and May.

BRITISH POLITICS. , ; LONDON, March 28. | Mr Chamberlain, in the Commons, j refused to be drawn on the Genoa resolution. He stiid the policy would be di sen sited on Monday, although the resolution would probably be circulated before the week-end. . Donald Maclean said the result ot previous conferences bad not pacified Europe, or yielded satisfactory results, exetept at Washington, which the Prime Minister, did not attend. He urged an immediate general election to give the people a chance to select their Mr Chamberlain accused Mr Maclean with trying to crack the authority of the British delegates at Genoa. FLOCK OF' STARLINGS. LONDON, March 2i. A remarkable spectacle was witnessed at Deal. A huge black cloud, a mile long, was seen coming across t m Channel, with a noise hi4e an approaching aircraft. As it came closer, it proved to be an enormous flock of nil-. juratory starlings fl’Oin France ov fNOrt'l